By the Apples
It was quiet when Connor made his way around New York. He wasn't in any particular hurry but there was something he wanted. He rounded a corner and that's when he began to hear distant murmuring. He smiled to himself as he approached and when he turned his last corner, he saw the crowd.
Everyone was bartering and buying at the Market.
Connor began to make his way through until his eyes landed on the stand he was looking for.
"3 Apples please." Connor said as he took out his wallet.
The seller bagged them and exchanged them for the coin in Connor's hand, but as he turned, someone bumped into him and spilled the apples.
"Ah! I'm sorry!!"
Connor looked up and saw you frazzled, "I was in a hurry and didn't see where I was going!" You hurriedly picked 3 more good apples and gave the coin to the seller, "Here, sorry again! I have to ru-"
You stopped talking when you saw "SOLD OUT"
"What!?!?!?"
The apple vendor laughed, "You were close this time y/n."
Connor was bewildered by this whole situation, "What were you trying to buy?" He asked curiously.
You looked up and smiled, "Strawberries!!! I heard they're really tasty when you put them in melted chocolate!!"
Connor smiled at your excitement, "cute" is what he thought.
"I guess I'll have to wake up earlier next week." You say as you start to walk away.
"Sorry again uh-"
"Connor."
"Connor." You say with a smile, "I'm y/n. It was nice to meet you!"
You slowly blended into the crowd and Connor shook his head with a smile.
"She's an odd one." The vendor said, "Single too!"
Connor rolled his eyes and walked away
The next week the rustle and bustle was on again. Connor could swear there were more people this time.
"3 Apples Connor?" The vendor asked.
"Yes please."
While the vendor put them in Connor's bag, he began to scan the area. He smiled when he saw you brushing through the crowd.
"Hi Connor!" You rushed passed him to the strawberry vendor, "A pound of strawberries please!"
"Oh I'm sorry lass. I sold my last ones about an hour ago."
Your face fell, "Oh... Um... thank you."
You walked back to the apple vendor, "5 apples please."
The vendor began to bag your apples, "Have you considered waking up earlier?" The vendor smirked.
"I try! But the bed is so warm! And comfy! And.. and... warm!"
Connor held in a snort, "It has been a bit colder lately."
"See! He gets it!" You say to the vendor.
"It was nice seeing you again Connor." You wink and walk away.
"Still single." The vendor said when he saw Connor staring a little too long.
"Stop." Connor said as he blushed.
The following week Connor had gotten up early and went straight to the strawberry vendor.
"A pound please."
The vendor bagged the strawberries and Connor went to the apple vendor.
"Trying to score brownie points eh?"
"It is not like that." Connor said matter of factly, "I am only helping a friend.
"Riiiiight."
About half an hour later he saw you walking hurriedly only to see your face crumple when you saw the Sold Out sign.
"Over here."
You heard Connor say. You looked up to see a small basket of strawberries in his hand.
"You did not!" You smiled brightly .
So brightly that Connor felt a skip in his heart.
"Are these really for me?" You ask as he lowers the basket to you.
"No they're for King George." The vendor said sarcasticaly.
Both you and Connor gave him a sour look which caused the vendor to smile and hold up both his hands.
"Thank you Connor." You say reaching to take them, "I really appreciate it."
"You are welcome."
Your fingers slightly brushed his and you could feel a small blush form on your cheeks.
"I um... I made this for you." You took out a small apple pie and offered it to Connor, "I'm sorry again for spilling your apples the other week and for bringing you into my strawberry mess."
Connor smiled as he felt his chest warm, "It is alright."
Every week both of you would meet up and talk for a bit. You gave him some chocolate covered strawberries you finally got to try and both of you agreed they were good.
After weeks of this though, Connor had to leave on a mission. He had told you about this and though you were sad to see him leave you, you held his hand and told him, "Be careful"
"I will."
Connor's hand lingered in yours as both of you slowly pulled away.
The mission was long but after a month, Connor was finally back. The market was not as busy as it used to be and that's when Connor saw the apple vendor.
"What has happened?" Connor asked.
"A terrible sickness has been going around." The vendor picked up 3 apples, "Connor, I haven't seen y/n in two weeks."
Connor froze as his brow furrowed, "Do you know where she lives?"
"Not the exact location. She did mention an abandoned brewery nearby."
Connor bolted. He knew the exact location.
"Your apples!" The vendor yelled.
Connor didn't even look back.
Once he reached the brewery, he looked around,
"I know they're around here." He muttered.
Then he spotted them.
"Hey."
"I didn't take a thing mister!" Yelled a child as he ran towards his group of friends.
"It's not about that!" Connor called out.
The kid stopped as his friend walked over to back him up.
"I am looking for a woman. She often wears a blue scarf and sometimes has fruits on Saturdays." Connor stated as he remembered you wearing it once. He complimented it and you started wearing it more.
The kids looked at each other, "You mean Y/N? You're not going to take her in or somethin are yah?"
"No." Connor smiled sadly, "I heard she hasn't been around and I just want to see if she's ok."
The kids looked at one another and nodded, "She lives this way mister." The kid started running, "She's always been nice to us. Gave us pie a while back. So when we didn't see her, we went to check on her. Said she was sick and didn't want us to catch whatever it was she had."
They arrived at the front of her door, "Maybe you can convince her to open the door."
Connor knocked as the child left but there was no answer. He bit his lip when the nervousness began to creep in. He tried knocking again, time but still no answer.
"Y/N it's me! Please open the door!" Connor yelled as he tried to keep his voice steady.
He heard shuffling inside and that's when he felt he could breathe. You were still alive.
"Connor?" you said weakly.
"Yes! Please open the door." Connor said softly.
"No Connor. I don't want to get you sick after coming back." You paused for a second, "Connor... it's the blankets. They were handing out blankets that were taken from small pox wards. I don't know if they are still handing them out... but that's how this whole thing started."
Connor seethed. But the anger on his face disappeared when he heard something drop.
"There has to be something I can bring you."
"It's a long shot but.... There's a doctor that has been helping out people that have been infected around town."
"I'll find him." Connor said, already heading for the man calling out the news. If anyone knew where this doctor was, it would be the rumor mills.
It wasn't hard finding him either. He just followed the yelling he heard.
The main word he could make out was, "Cowards!"
Connor closed in on the voice and found a man by the name of Jamie Colley who explained how the templars were delaying his clinic and how many people that promised to help him fled.
"I will help you," Connor said, "But there is something I need help with from you."
Jamie agreed.
Once the patients were brought to the clinic and every infected blanket was burned, he came back to you.
"Y/N! I brought the doctor!" Connor banged on your door.
No answer.
"Y/N?" He had a sinking feeling.
"I can fix your door after." Connor said after so he kicked it down.
You were lying in bed with sweat going down your brow.
Jamie wet a cloth with the clean water he brought and dabbed your forehead, "It looks like she's past the worst of it based on the scabbing. It's still best to keep an eye on her and make sure her fever doesn't rise."
Connor nodded and the doctor left with those instructions in mind.
You became delirious for a bit.
"You look like this really nice guy I know." You said squinting your eyes.
"Really?" Connor said amused as he used another clean cloth to dab cold water on your head. He could hear his own heartbeat in his ears.
"Yeah! He was so sweet! He got me strawberries!"
Connor continued to dab cold water and could see your flushed cheeks returning to their original color.
Your eyes became droopy after a bit and soon you fell asleep.
Connor smiled seeing that the fever had subsided. He managed to fix your door with some tools he found and so he decided to head out to get some food for both of you.
It was busy like usual but as he was about to buy some meat, he heard it, "They have medicine? Actual medicine? And it works?"
"Yeah, boss ordered it to be taken to the Tavern out east."
Connor peeked over and noticed the Templar symbol on the man's hand.
He knew what to do.
Connor went back to your house, made some food, and sat you up, "You need to eat to regain your strength."
Your eyes were tired as you nodded, "Thank you Connor. For taking care of me."
He noticed your hand shaking a bit as you lifted the spoon to your lips.
"Let me."
Connor took the spoon and fed you the stew bit by bit. Your eyes watered a bit and you quickly wiped them away.
"What is wrong?" Connor asked softly.
"I'm sorry. I wanted to surprise you when you came back and instead you're stuck taking care of me." You wiped more tears away.
Connor smiled, "I am just happy I get to see you."
You smiled and Connor continued to feed you.
Once you were fast asleep again he headed out.
Connor leaped over rooftops and eventually reached the tavern. He made his way in through a window and began to look in the room.
Nothing.
He exited the window and checked the next room.
Nothing.
As he made his way to the third room, he stopped.
"It has to be here." Connor said to himself.
He picked the lock and opened the window quietly, doing his best to not wake the person snoring in the room.
He opened a closet door, checked in the cabinets, and even checked for any secret doors but nothing.
Connor slowly walked towards the bed and bent down. Behind a pair of boots was a small box. Connor moved everything as quietly as possible, even holding his breath, afraid to make a sound.
When he opened the box...
Nothing.
"Did you really think I would hide something there?" Came a very posh voice.
Connor's head snapped up and there he saw a very grumpy looking Grandmaster looking straight at him.
"Father."
"Son."
They both stared at each other for a minute.
"Well? What exactly are you looking for that can't wait until morning?" Haytham said grumply.
Maybe it was the Kenway in him when Connor asked, "You wear a hat in bed?"
Haytham stood up, "It's a cap I'll have you know."
"Are you hiding a bald spot?"
Haytham's eye twitched, "Insults can wait untill morning. Out."
"Not until I get the medicine you have." Connor stated.
"So that's what it's about." Haytham sat up, "We have very few doses and I'm afraid Assassins are on the bottom of my li-."
"She's not an assassin." Connor cut him off.
A twinkle in Haytham's eye appeared, "Oh? Did you say she?"
"Do not start father."
"I'm glad you finally have something else to do aside from hunting down my men. How long have you known her?"
"Father!" Connor rolled his eyes.
Haytham smirked, "I'll give you the medicine in one condition."
"What exactly," Connor dreaded the answer.
"I want to meet her."
"No. Absolutely not-."
Haytham raised his hands, "No templar business, I swear."
Connor bit the bottom of his lip, "Promise?"
"You have my word."
Haytham lifted the mattress and there lay another small box. He took out a vial and gave it to Connor, "Let me know when she's better."
Connor took the vial and nodded.
"If you have lied to me, I will be back."
He raced off as the morning sun began to peak out from the horizon.
Haytham smiled as Connor disappeared, "Now why would I want to kill off my future daughter-in-law?"
Connor walked into your house and saw you still asleep. He was exhausted but was glad he found something else that could help. He made a quick breakfast and then went over to wake you up.
"Hey," he said softly, "Breakfast is ready."
You groaned, "5 more minutes."
Connor chuckled a bit, "The food will get cold. You can sleep a bit more after, I promise."
You woke up and began to sit up when Connor Placed a plate, water, and vial next to the headstand.
"What's this?" You asked as you took the vial.
"Medicine. Someone mentioned it and I thought it could help you."
"You're to good to me Connor."
You drank the contents and your face made a sour look, "It's so bitter."
Connor gave you the water and you downed it as fast as possible.
"Thank you Connor for everything."
Connor smiled as he placed your plate in front of you and watched as you ate. He saw some scarring from where the small pox blisters were but he knew that this was a sign that the sickness was coming to an end.
Now how was he going to tell you that you would be meeting his dad soon?
"Your brows are furrowed, Is everything ok?" You asked as you chewed.
Connor smiled, "Just a passing thought."
2 Weeks Later
"Connor!" Yelled the apple vendor with excitement, "I haven't seen you in a whi- oh??"
The vendor saw you walking next to Connor with a smile. Your hands intertwined as you both walked. A small basket of strawberries in your hands
"Ha ha! Finally!!!" The vendor was excited.
Connor smiled as he approached.
"3 apples today?"
Connor held up his hand, "Not today."
You looked at Connor confused, "But you always get apples. I figured they were your favorite."
"I only needed an excuse to see you."
Connor smirked to himself when he saw you blush and smile.
"Oh you!" You gushed.
"I see my son has some skill when it comes to flirting."
Connor's eyes narrowed, "Father."
"Father!?" You gasped, "It's nice to meet you sir! My name is Y/N." You stretched out your hand to shake his.
Haytham gripped your hand and shook it, "It's a pleasure to meet my son's distraction. He loves to talk about you."
"Father." Connor said with a warning.
"You both work together?" You asked curiously.
"Yes," Haytham looked at Connor, "He has a great ability of getting his point across with my men."
Connor's eye twitched. He hadn't told you about being an Assassin yet.
"Oh!" You said curious.
"What are you doing here?" Asked Connor, "If your grapes have soured there's a stand over there."
Haytham looked at Connor, "I believe you promised I'd get to meet this lovely young lady. I never got your invitation."
"We've been busy." Connor said flatly.
"Well you both don't seem busy now. Let's go have some breakfast together. I know a place." Haytham started walking.
Connor took your arm and walked together with you behind Haytham.
Maybe this wouldn't be so bad?
Maybe he wouldn't embarrass him in front of you?
"Connor, remember when you asked the man by the wagon if he was 'Ben Churches' man?" Haytham started as he looked over to you, "It's a pretty funny story."
You looked at Connor.
Connor glared at Haytham.
This is going to be fun.
Thank you for reading!